WORKING 9 TO 5 – A NEAR-SURFACE FIELD GEOPHYSICS COURSE THAT’S JUST LIKE A JOB (BUT WITHOUT THE PAY!)

A multi-week field geology course is a typical requirement for most B.S. degrees in geology. A field experience in geophysics, however, is almost non-existent in US universities. Like field geology, a field class in geophysics can provide a critical bridge between theory and application. The Department of Geological & Mining Engineering & Sciences at Michigan Tech University has required a 5-week field geophysics course for over 40 years for geological engineering, geology, and applied geophysics majors. The course mimics a job schedule with weekly projects, team work, and written and oral presentations of self-collected data. The methods are diverse and include ground penetrating radar, gravity, magnetics, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetics – often in combination. The field class is an extension of a sophomore level theory class that reinforces the choice of methods for particular geologic targets and the ambiguity of geophysical interpretations. In addition, students are exposed to the technical aspects of choosing the appropriate spacings, surveying in grids, and operating instruments. Finally, field geophysics serves as our department’s flagship course for instructing undergraduate students on scientific and technical writing.